"So to summarize, once things are settled you will be doing a one month rotation with a Protectorate member. Armsmaster is currently off rotation due to a project that he is working on however. The rotation was meant to start the first of December, but between getting everyone settled and everything that's happened this week, plus the holidays we have opted to set it back to the first of the year. You how ever will be having a split rotation, the first month you will be paired with Renik's side of the Wards focusing on search and rescue training over the standard Protectorate training."
"May I ask why director?" Gallant asked standing in the Director's office simply due to none of the chairs looked rated for his armor's weight.
The office was rather nice, if oddly designed with things placed in front of windows and most of the shutters down, a rather large mirror covered the wall behind the director's desk, though he could see the logic in that as one of her workstations faced the wall and it allowed her to glance up and see if any one came in.
"To put it simply Gallant, it's because I think your powers can be useful in a search in rescue setting. Your recorded range for sensing emotions is on our record around fifty or sixty feet, while that doesn't seem much it would be more than enough to find some one buried in rubble or in an avalanche. Add in your 'Master ' abilities and you could easily be brought in to calm some one who is panicking. We have a team that is being developed for search and rescue rather than going out and punching bad guys. Personally I feel that making the public think you are a tinker is a bad idea. Nothing good comes from people believing you are something you are not. " Emily smirked." Just ask Alucard, they classified him as a projection for years and he is still slowly receiving a lot of back pay from that, not to mention all the missed product licensing. Boston is going to have a very tight budget for a while."
Gallant nodded feeling a level of smug amusement from the Director he didn't expect.
"In any event I'm sure your parents will have no issue with the gun safety classes or the retesting to see if your abilities can be made to work in different ways that initially reported. This part of the Wards will be under Deputy Director Reink rather than me as it's primary creation is because of Druid coming here. While Druid can fight, her main abilities are too valuable to risk on some idiot with a gun getting lucky in a altercation. Most parahumans do seem to have abilities focused on combat, Miss Militia and Mouse Protector especially, others like thinkers and tinkers can go either way. Much like your abilities. This doesn't mean we're going to dump you in blind, I'm pressing hard to get a therapist out here full time. If this all works out we'll see if you can receive some instruction from them, if possible we may also add some college level courses for you."
"I see." Gallant hummed. "Though I will say I am already taking some basic psychology courses that were set up by Director Meadows."
"Alright then. Nice to see the woman was on the same page in some things." Director Piggot nodded. "Did you have any other questions?"
"No Ma'am."
"Alright , the last thing is Iwould like your opinions of the Protectorate and Wards you work with. Don't worry about being specific. I am trying to get to know them more from other peoples eyes, and none of this is on record."
" I don't really have any problems with any of them." Gallant hesitated." Except perhaps Vista."
"Oh?"
"It's not so much a problem, but I can feel she has a crush on me." Gallant admitted.
"Ahhhh I see. How are you dealing with that?" Emily asked.
"Trying to ignore it and hope she moves on." Gallant shrugged.
"Hmm. Well I have no idea if that is a good plan or not. When we get the therapist in here ask them. While I can read people fairly well from my training, anything more complex is out of my wheel house."
"Understood."
"What about the others? Emotional output or things that you can tell?"
"Pretty normal I suppose. I've not had much of an encounter with Druid yet. Clockblocker seems to always be upset over something lately, and Shadow Stalker is angry.. all the time."
"I figured the last one, what about the Protectorate you work with?"
"Much the same as any one else. their emotions depend on the situation they are in. Except Mouse Protector. I try not to read Mouse Protector."
"Why is that?"
"Her emotional state is pretty much everywhere all the time. It's never constant." Gallant offered. "I can't really explain it."
"I get the meaning, though if you have issue with Mouse Protector, I would suggest not looking at Alucard too much."
"Oh?"
"He's... something..." Emily sighed.
"Ahh." Gallant nodded.
Wards room
"So you think we'll be getting a new ward then?" Vista asked.
"Maybe. The girls a little skittish and mom says there's some legal crap tied into everything involving her parents, but it's possible. She might also head further north to the Guild. " Druid answered." It's all politics and red tape at that level."
"Ugh. Better the director than me." Vista muttered. "I hate red tape."
The pair of them along with Apocalypse Meow looked up as the door slid open and Shadow Stalker stormed in. She stopped a moment glaring at Druid stretched out on the couch, and Vista stretched out on the back of Apocalypse Meow who was laying on one of the other couches in the room.
"I want a rematch." Shadow Stalker declared.
"Okay." Druid shrugged from where she was. "I suggest you stick to unpowered fighting this time, you actually have a chance like that."
"What!? You ain't that hot of shit." Shadow Stalker snarled.
"She's a speculated Striker 12, Tinker 8, Trump 3, Thinker 3 and Master 2." Vista pointed out. "You're at best a breaker 3 stranger 2 and a mover 1 or 2."
Both of the other girls stared at Vista.
"What? I didn't get to the top of the powered spar leader board by not doing my homework on the rest of you. My power is a Shaker' Yes', but that doesn't mean I'm lazy."
"I thought you were a Shaker 9?" Druid asked.
"That's what I want them to think." Vista grinned.
"Anyway, you, me, now." Shadow Stalker growled.
"No can do. Soon as Gallants done talking to the director you're up for it." Vista explained." Then you're back on counsel duty for the old man Jenkins thing while I show Druid around the rest of the building. Assault's supposed to take us out to the HQ tonight so I can show her around there after we talk to the Director."
"Pfft, whatever." Shadow Stalker grumbled." Don't get comfortable with your win."
Druid shrugged.
Apocalypse Meow suddenly lifted her head looking down at the floor below the big TV in the room. She offered an odd chirping growl as she stared at the spot her tufted ears perked up high.
"Here comes Alucard." Druid sighed
The crimson coated Vampire cape rose from the floor in a rush, a wide grin on his face as his shouted.
"Hey You Kids Wanna See A Dead Body!?" Alucard ranted.
No." Druid sighed.
"Yes." Shadow Stalker snapped.
"What, another one?" Vista muttered.
Everyone in the room looked at Vista including Apocalypse Meow who had to turn her head almost fully around to do so.
"Oh you are gonna be fun." Alucard grinned before gesturing to Shadow Stalker. "Any way short thin and broody, boss lady wants to talk to you so get up there. Chop Chop!"
